Sticker handling means for lumber stacking

Abstract

Sticker handling apparatus include an actuating assembly that operatively supports one or more sticker support brackets. The actuating assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to impart motion to the sticker support bracket in a first dimension and the second actuator is configured to impart motion to the sticker support bracket in a second dimension different from the first dimension. The actuating assembly can thus be selectively actuated to move the one or more sticker support brackets in a manner such that one or more stickers are contacted and lifted by respective sticker support brackets and moved from a sticker in-feed conveyor to respective sticker trays supported on respective fork arms with no substantial rotation of the one or more sticker support brackets.

1. A sticker handling apparatus for use in lumber stacking with a sticker in-feed conveyor and a fork arm defining an upper surface, with a sticker tray connected to the fork arm, the apparatus comprising:
 a sticker support bracket configured to support at least a portion of a sticker; 
 an actuating assembly operatively connected to the sticker support bracket and comprising a first actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a first dimension, and a second actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a second dimension, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are independently controllable; and 
 an overhead rake-off device configured to be moved between a raised clear position and a lowered strip position, and further configured to strip the sticker from the sticker tray when in the lowered strip position and during retraction of the fork arm, the rake-off device comprising a roller operatively mounted thereon, wherein: the roller is configured to contact the upper surface of the fork arm and to roll thereon, thereby supporting at least a portion of the rake-off device, and thereby facilitating vertical alignment and guidance of the rake-off device while stripping the sticker from the sticker tray. 
 
     
     
       2. A sticker handling apparatus of for use in lumber stacking with a sticker in-feed conveyor and a fork arm with a sticker tray connected thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 a sticker support bracket configured to support at least a portion of a sticker; 
 an actuating assembly operatively connected to the sticker support bracket and comprising a first actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a first dimension, and a second actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a second dimension, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are independently controllable; and 
 a substantially stationary base, wherein:
 the first actuator is operatively connected to the base and supported thereby; 
 the first actuator, during operation thereof, remains substantially stationary relative to the base; 
 the second actuator is operatively connected between the first actuator and the sticker support bracket; 
 operation of the first actuator causes movement of the second actuator and the sticker support bracket relative to the base in the first dimension; and, 
 operation of the second actuator causes movement of the sticker support bracket relative to the base in the second dimension. 
 
 
     
     
       3. A sticker handling apparatus for use in lumber stacking with a sticker in-feed conveyor and a fork arm with a sticker tray connected thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 a sticker support bracket configured to support at least a portion of a sticker; 
 an actuating assembly operatively connected to the sticker support bracket and comprising a first actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a first dimension, and a second actuator configured to move the sticker support bracket in a second dimension, wherein;
 the first actuator and the second actuator are independently controllable; and 
 selective actuation of at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator causes the sticker support bracket to lift the sticker from the sticker in-feed conveyor, and to place the sticker on the sticker tray. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein the sticker support bracket has a first end and an opposite distal second end, and wherein the sticker support bracket is substantially resiliently deflectable, whereby the first end is resiliently movable relative to the second end. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , and wherein the sticker support bracket is fabricated from a resiliently flexible material. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , and wherein the sticker support bracket is fabricated from a material comprising urethane. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 3 , the sticker support bracket comprising:
 a substantially rigid upper portion configured to contact the sticker; 
 a substantially rigid lower portion configured to be connected with the actuating assembly; and, 
 a joint member which operatively connects the upper portion to the lower portion, wherein the joint member is resiliently flexible, whereby the upper portion is resiliently movable relative to the lower portion. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein the sticker support bracket has a first end and an opposite distal second end, and wherein a sticker cradle area is defined on the first end between two spaced and substantially parallel horns which longitudinally extend from the first end, and which are separated by a substantially flat sticker support surface. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , and wherein each of the horns is substantially wedge-shaped and is tapered substantially evenly toward respective extreme termini, thereby rendering horns substantially symmetrical to one another. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein further selective actuation of at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator causes the sticker support bracket to remove the sticker from the sticker tray. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , and wherein further selective actuation of at least one of the first actuator or the second actiuator causes the sticker support bracket to place the sticker back onto the sticker in-feed conveyor. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , and wherein further selective actuation of at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator causes the sticker support bracket to place the sticker on the sticker in-feed conveyor. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein during movement of the sticker support bracket by the actuating assembly:
 the sticker support bracket contacts the sticker; 
 the sticker support bracket lifts the sticker from the sticker in-feed conveyor; and, 
 there is no substantial angular movement of the sticker support bracket. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein during movement of the sticker support bracket by the actuating assembly:
 the sticker support bracket contacts the sticker; 
 the sticker support bracket lifts the sticker from the sticker in-feed conveyor; 
 the sticker is released from the sticker support bracket and thereby placed onto the sticker tray; and, 
 there is no substantial angular movement of the sticker support bracket. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein during movement of the sticker support bracket by the actuating assembly:
 the sticker support bracket contacts the sticker; 
 the sticker support bracket lifts the sticker from the sticker in-feed conveyor; and, 
 there is no substantial angular movement of the sticker. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein during movement of the sticker support bracket by the actuating assembly:
 the sticker support bracket contacts the sticker; 
 the sticker support bracket lifts the sticker from the sticker in-feed conveyor; 
 the sticker is released from the sticker support bracket and thereby placed onto the sticker tray; and, 
 there is no substantial angular movement of the sticker tray. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 3 , and wherein:
 the first dimension is substantially linear; and, 
 the second dimension is substantially linear. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first dimension or the second dimension is substantially nonlinear. 
     
     
       19. A sticker handling apparatus for use in lumber stacking with a sticker in-feed conveyor and a fork arm with a sticker tray connected thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 a substantially stationary base; 
 a support member movably supported by the base 
 a carriage member movably supported by the support member and configured to move therewith relative to the base; 
 a sticker support bracket supported by the carriage member; 
 a first actuator configured to move the support member relative to the base member in a first dimension; and 
 a second actuator configured to move the carriage member relative to the support member in the second dimension, wherein the first actuator and a second actuator are independently controllable. 
 
     
     
       20. A sticker handling apparatus for use in lumber stacking with a sticker in-feed conveyor and a fork arm with a sticker tray connected thereto, the apparatus comprising:
 a substantially stationary base; 
 a carriage member movably supported by the base 
 a support member movably supported by the carriage member and configured to move therewith relative to the base; 
 a sticker support bracket supported by the support member; 
 a first actuator configured to move the carriage member relative to the base member in a first dimension; and 
 a second actuator configured to move the support member relative to the carriage member in the second dimension, wherein the first actuator and a second actuator are independently controllable.